Title

Author

Committee Chair

Cunningham, James R.

Department

Dept. of Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

Corrosion of metal components in electrical power generation boilers is a serious and expensive problem that is a major concern to manufacturers and electrical utility personnel. Lost production and large costs associated with component failures have created a tremendous research effort to help minimize corrosive attack. One particular area that has received considerable attention is control of dissolved oxygen concentrations in operational and idle boiler systems. Numerous products and treatment schemes have been developed that have provided reliable means to help reduce corrosion due to dissolved oxygen attack. An unanswered question, however, is to what degree these treatment methods control corrosion and which method offers the superior performance. In this research, an exhaustive comparative study was completed to ascertain the relative efficiencies of five commercially available scavenging agents in their control of dissolved oxygen and metal corrosion. Both laboratory and large-scale field studies were done to provide more conclusive information and to offer recommendations on various treatment schemes. The overall results showed that improved scavenging agents did reduce dissolved oxygen concentrations at more rapid rates and also helped minimize corrosion. However, based on the research findings, it appears to be questionable to invest more funds to gain the small benefits associated with use of improved scavenger agents. Determination of treatment selection should be done on a case-by-case basis evaluating costs versus benefits. Overall, it appeared that control of solution alkalinity and elimination of air/water interfaces was more important than the scavenger chosen for oxygen control.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to express his appreciation to the Tennessee Valley Authority for enabling this research work to occur. To Dr. Carl Cain, Jr., a sincere thanks for his support and guidance.
To Dr. James R. Cunningham, I wish to express my appreciation for his countless hours of assistance and leadership.
To my wife, Judy, and daughter, Holly, I want to express my most sincere appreciation as it was their support and inspiration that helped me complete this task.

Degree

M. S.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science.

Date

12-1986

Subject

Corrosion and anti-corrosives; Steam-boilers Corrosion

Document Type

Masters theses

Extent

viii, 71 leaves

Language

English

Call Number

LB2369.2 .H39 1986

Rights

Under copyright.

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

Recommended Citation

Hays, Robert Lee, "The systematic study of corrosion and oxygen control by chemical scavenging agents" (1986). Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations.https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/479